Henry still a doubt for Cup final

Six days before the FA Cup final against Manchester United, Arsenal succumbed to an unlikely defeat against a team whose season had ended a month or more ago.

It was a game in which it appeared Arsenal would stroll around, keeping away from any Cardiff-threatening tackles. That was certainly the case until Birmingham upped the ante with nine minutes to go, Walter Pandiani putting them ahead.

Then two minutes from the end Emile Heskey rendered Dennis Bergkamp's equaliser irrelevant.

Significantly, Thierry Henry had been left out after suffering a reaction to his groin injury after his bit-part in Arsenal's 7-0 win over Everton on Wednesday.

The biggest story in the build-up to the Cup final will be whether his manager decides to risk him. "I will see what I do with him Wednesday or Thursday," said Arsene Wenger.

Additionally, Jose Antonio Reyes was injured in training and also awaits a midweek assessment, while Lauren and Robert Pires were rested, and should be in contention.

"It was what you call here an end-of-season game," Wenger said, "where we certainly had one eye on Saturday, and lost too many 50-50s to make a difference. Overall, though, the most important thing was to have a good run-out, and no injuries. By being caught today maybe it will help us focus next week."

It was the first time Birmingham had beaten Arsenal since 1983, and was Arsenal's fifth Premiership defeat of the season.

Wenger was right about the end-of-season lethargy, Birmingham were the more committed, though Arsenal had the better chances.

However, just when it looked as if it would remain goalless, along came three goals at breakneck speed.

Arsenal were unable to clear Jermaine Pennant's corner, Stephen Clemence returned the ball into the area where it pinged off shins and ankles before Pandiani picked himself off the floor to apply the coup de grâce.

Though Bergkamp equalised, put through by Patrick Vieira's chipped pass, Birmingham were back in front 90 seconds later, Philippe Senderos caught napping by Pandiani's back-header, and Emile Heskey bursting behind him to hit home right-footed.